INFECTION CONTROL
Infection is defined as the ENTRY and MULTIPLICATION of an INFECTIOUS AGENT in the body. An infectious agent is an organism (bacteria, virus, fungus, protozoa, helminth, Rickettsiae) that is capable of producing infectious disease.
Preventive/control measures are designed to prevent infectious matter, in the environment or in the body, from spreading disease to other persons.
Infectious Disease transmission to the human body can occur through skin contact, air- droplet contact, mouth-digestive contact, and blood contact.
GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL IN THE HOME
 | Hands must be washed/scrubbed with soap and water after toileting. |
| Hands must be washed before and after contact with the sick person or with potentially contaminated articles, ( soiled linens, catheter, bedpan, sputum, emesis, drainage tubes, wounds, etc.) Use disposable gloves when possible. |
| Contaminated articles must be washed/scrubbed in hot soapy water. |
| Prevent exposure to droplet contact (sneezing, coughing, nasal drainage, talking, laughing). |
| Avoid touching the mouth, eyes, ears, genitalia, and wounds, with the hands. |
| Clean up blood spills with a disinfecting agent. |
| Keep the environment clean and free from excess dust, animal hair, spoiled food. |
| Avoid the use of common or unclean eating utensils, drinking cups, handkerchiefs, combs/brushes, etc. |
| Hands must be washed prior to food preparation. |
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION
| Red, swollen, hot, painful wounds |
| Pus drainage, foul odor |
| Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, cough & fever |
| Diarrhea, vomiting (possible) |
| Chills, fever, flushed face or pale/gray color |
| Painful urination |
Reference: Abram S. Beneson, editor. Control of Communicable Diseases in Man,Washington, D.C., The American Public Health Association, 1985.